Gary Brooker, lead singer of English band Procol Harum, dies, aged 76.

The Guardian ^ | 2.22.22 | Harriet Sherwood

[Carriage Hill]

Gary Brooker, the lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum, whose 1967 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale mesmerised baby boomer fans with its psychedelic melancholy, has died at the age of 76. The pianist, composer and lyricist as well as frontman for the band had been treated for cancer. He died peacefully at home at the weekend. A statement on Procol Harum’s website described Brooker as “a brightly shining, irreplaceable light in the music industry”. It added: “Gary exhibited and developed a highly individual talent. His first single with Procol Harum, 1967’s A Whiter Shade of Pale, is widely regarded as defining the ‘summer of love’, yet it could scarcely have been more different from the characteristic records of that era ….

[windsorknot]

**Sigh**
Thanks for the music and the memories. RIP.

[eeriegeno]

And the truth is plain to see

While the cooper told his tale!

[rockrr]

Great funeral dirge of a song

As a guitarist doing mostly covers, WSoP wasn't very high on my list until I heard Sammy Hagar do a rendition. Then I added it to the repertoire.

Since then I've added a guitar synth to the mix that lets me play the organ parts for more authenticity.

Great tune.

RIP Gary.

[Concentrate]

Hi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St6jyEFe5WM

[Dr. Ursus]

Saw him a few times with Ringo- loved that song. Ringo said the Beatles wished they had written that song.

[Inyo-Mono]

I saw Procol Harum perform this song live in 1967 a year after I saw The Beatles live.

[Carriage Hill]

You are indeed lucky; I didn’t get to see either of them.

[Wilum]

She was! First born after 20 years married. A gift from God. :D

[Carriage Hill]

Truly she was, for you and your lovely wife. Congrats, FRiend.

[Tymesup]

Thanks for the link to Salty Dog. Never heard it before.

[cyclotic]

I prefer Conquistador.

[Libloather]

[OwenKellogg]

RIP. Thanks for the music.

[Carriage Hill]

I like “Conquistador”, too, “Salty Dog”, but my favorite is still “Whiter Shade of Pale”.

[Carriage Hill]

Good memories, eh?

[OwenKellogg]

Great music.

[Carriage Hill]

Yes, they were. Pioneers in that early 60s field. I’ve listened to them all day, on a YT-downloaded 250GB Thumb Dive, In my Jeep’s Entertainment Command Ctr Console.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.